ONYX

South of England Irish Setter Club Open Show 19 July 2009

 Lynne Murray Hogsflesh 

Worplesdon Memorial Hall

The South of England Irish Setter Club held an Open show at Worplesdon on 19^th July, Best in Show and Best Veteran was Sh Ch Shaytell Andante, Reserve Best in Show was Konakakela Red Admiral at Ixia, Best Opposite Sex and Best Veteran Bitch was Margretwoods Perfect Peach and Best Puppy was Gwendariff Whata Wynjill.

It was my honour to judge at this superbly friendly show; it was highly windy all day but none of the dogs seemed discomfited by this, the majority of dogs shown were groomed to perfection and it was a joy to see their coats gleaming in the sun when this broke through, movement on the whole was a bit erratic but the veterans really showed the youngsters how it was done; I found four bad mouths.

Minor Puppy Dog 2, 1

1  Pullen's Brinara Back for Good

7 mths, lovely shaped youngster with a nice length to him, lovely head with well finished muzzle & kind eye, good body properties, tight arched feet, lovely to see him wagging his tail and enjoying his day.

Puppy Dog 2, 2

1  Heron & Lake's Caskeys Starchaser

11 mths so more mature all through, well off for bone, correct head with dark eyes & pronounced occiput, good length of neck, really scored in forechest as he has a lovely depth & breadth of brisket and was one of the few here today with a pronounced sternum, happy on the move, promising boy, best dog puppy.

2  B. Back for Good

Junior Dog 4, 3

1 Chorley's Kerryfair Snow Fox

Not a big one but beautifully balanced fore & aft, good neck setting cleanly into well set shoulders, a dog with an impressive forehand, strong topline which he really held on the move, lovely short rear pasterns, moved out well, possesses great confidence for one so young.

2  Smith's Reddins Louis

Another very promising young man, lovely type and just needs time to mature,  he possesses the most lovely head with lots of work in it, correctly raised brows & whimsical expression, lovely bone density, well sprung ribs & strong loin, just needs to drop into his rear angulation a bit more, happy on the move.

Yearling Dog 7, 6

Good class, some were much more immature than others so paid the price for this but all were promising young men.

1  Murray & Berry's Harvancourt Capello

This young man took my eye the first time I saw him as a puppy so I was delighted to have the chance to get my hands on him at last, he is just chock full of potential, compact, rugged and masculine all through, good head and such a strong powerful chest with plenty of heart & lung room, correct shoulders sloping well back, good ribs and strong arched loin, good rear angulation, well let down hock joints leading into short pasterns, moved effortlessly and maintained his topline all the time, one I could happily have taken home!

2  Chenty & Holley's Gwendariff Pop The Question JW

Different type of dog, rangier & more upstanding, most elegant outline, lovely head with correct planes & beautifully finished muzzle, strong arched neck, another with a powerful forechest, well ribbed back, sloping topline with good tailset, moved out with purpose.

Maiden Dog 2, 1

1  R. Louis

Novice Dog 3, 2

1  K. Snow Fox

2  R. Louis

Debutant Dog 4, 4

1  Gladwish's Glenlaine the Best Man

 Not a flashy dog but the more you look at him the more you appreciate his qualities, hard to fault as he is well made all through and presents a most balanced picture, pleasing head with dark, kind expressive eyes, good body properties, best of feet, moves with panache, very well schooled, won this class with ease.

2  Byrne & Eden's Siochanna Irish Legend

An elegant, refined young dog with good body properties, well angulated fore & aft, strong, clean topline with well set on tail, beautifully presented and handled, just needs more muscle development to strengthen his rear movement.

Undergraduate Dog 7, 7

1  H. Capello

2  K. Snow Fox

Graduate Dog 10, 8

1  Boutell & Harris's Konakakela Red Admiral at Ixia

This was my find of the day; I just loved this dog and couldn't wait to get to my catalogue to find out who he was!  For me he presents the perfect blend of ruggedness, masculinity & refinement that one is looking for, he has such a clean head with the most 'Irish' of expressions, dark. quizzical eye, well angulated and so strong in topline, through the loin & croup, my only slight niggle would be that his owners have trimmed his rear pasterns too closely which almost makes him look as if they are lacking in bone which they are not, moves like a dream and shown to perfection by his young handler.  Res Best in Show.

2  G. Pop The Question JW

Post Graduate Dog 8, 3

1  Richardson's Kirkavagh Dalakhani

This dog has a super masculine head, correct well defined stop & raised brows giving such a gentle expression, he has good length of neck where many were too short,  powerful forechest with good, deep brisket, dense bone, well ribbed back, moved out strongly, just needs coat to complete the picture.

2  Carr's Jacwilins Mr Palmer

Much to like about this boy, more refined than winner in head, well defined occipital protuberance, beautifully arched neck, good depth to chest, best of legs & tight, well-arched feet, good ribs, strong over loin, slightly steep in shoulders & lacked angulation at stifle joint  which in turn meant he was leaking in rear extension on the move compared to winner

Limit Dog 6, 4

1  Pullen & Atkin's Shanoah Jump To It

This was a 'true' Irish in the old-fashioned sense, just loved his type from his classical head with melting expression, deep muzzle & well finished foreface all the way through to his strong, well angulated hindquarters, excellent depth & width to chest, strong well sprung ribs, good couplings, he really came into his own on the move though as he strode round the ring driving from his powerful hocks, tail constantly lashing, a joy to watch

2  Cox's Tiroen True Blue

Very different to my winner, so much to like about him,  I loved his head & expression, lots of chiselling & work there, nice length of neck leading into well set shoulders; good sternum & deep chest, good ribs, strong loin, darkest of coats & teeming with strong well developed muscles, particularly at rear, long from hip to hock, moves with great drive, put down to perfection as this owner's dogs always are, to be picky would just like to see him a bit bigger & longer

Open Dog 3, 3

1  Fauvrelle's Sh Ch Shaytell Andante

What can I write that has not already been said about this famous boy? My notes say "a true champion" & indeed he is, he has it all; not a big one but just so in proportion & balanced all through with everything as it should be, such an expressive head, excellent topline, & angulation fore & aft is just textbook, had the best well let-down hock joints of the day which allowed him to move not only with great drive & propulsion but also allowed him to give that little extra kick to show us his pads that is the mark of truly great movement. Suffice to say he demanded Best in Show & I was honoured to make the award.

2  Harrison's Caskeys Voyager

This dog's lineage is apparent in his type, he is another classical setter possessing all the attributes of the breed, he oozes masculinity & substance without any trace of coarseness, well made all through and in full bloom, just carrying a tad too much weight which made him a bit stuffy over the shoulders & loin, was just pipped at the post by the younger dog's presence & drive on the move for reserve best dog, however I liked him very much indeed.

Veteran Dog 6, 4

One of the most hotly contested classes of the day, these gentlemen demonstrated exactly why they have done so much winning, they moved their socks off.

1  Lucas's Caskeys Persuader from Amberlight

Hard to believe that this boy is in veteran as he is still in his prime, he is a truly class act, his outline is so clean & refined with nary a bump or a lump out of place, his head is to die for & he is just so well put together, won this class with ease, he just needs coat to complete a perfect picture and he is so unfortunate not to have gained his title, however he is proving his worth in his progeny

2  Richardson's Sh Ch Kirkavagh Fidalgo

Of different type to the winner but such a classy gentleman from his highly expressive head to his well set on tail, have been honoured to judge him before & did him well, was pleased to see he is still in tip top form, such a worthy champion                     

Minor Puppy Bitch 3, 3

1  Holley's Gwendariff Whata Wynjill

Whata poppet!  Just 6 mths but taking it all in her stride, she coped with wind and rain & her tail lashed throughout, a very promising puppy who seems to have all the essentials, prettiest of heads with dark eyes & low set ears, nicely angulated with good depth of chest & spring of rib, lovely topline & excellent rear angulation, so happy on the move

2  Brady's Reddins Frolic Among Amberlight

Another promising baby, just 6 mths well grown for age with good density of bone, nice topline and angulation, tightly arched feet, quite at home in the ring & enjoying her day out

Puppy Bitch 3, 2

1  Brady's Reddins Frolic among Amberlight

2  Roberts Colanme Morgana

Yet another baby who wasn't at all phased by it all, so calm & well behaved, pretty head with expressive dark eye, nicely arched neck, excellent spring of rib & best of feet, beautiful colour & moved out well for one so young

Junior Bitch 9, 5

1  Naylor & Morrison's Anlory Carmenere JW

This bitch already has a tremendous track record & on handling her I can understand why, she has it all going for her, she presents the most beautifully balanced picture and had one of the best toplines here today, were she a bit older she would have pushed hard for top honours, she is certainly one to watch in the future, I just loved her

2  Gratton's Reddins Lydia At Glenlaine

This young lady possesses such a pretty head with the sweetest of expression and soft eyes, good depth & breadth of chest, well sprung ribs & strong couplings, nicely angulated at rear & well let down hocks flowing into short pasterns, good set on of tail, she was not the least bit unsettled by the high wind and took it all in her stride.

Yearling Bitch 4, 4

1  Fauvrelle's Hunnicote Bracken Sweetie

Loved the outline of this young lady, longer cast than some of my other winners, she is well ribbed up with a pleasing length, she has such an lively, inquisitive expression & her well raised brows were so expressive as she watched everything that was going on, beautiful low earset & superb layback of upper arm, good rear end, well developed musculature which propelled her round the ring.

2  Durant's Kirkavagh Iliona

A shorter bitch than 1 but lots to like about her, well worked head with lovely depth & finish to muzzle, low earset, nicely arched neck of good length, deep through brisket & good ribs, short strong loin, super angulation at rear & strong, short pasterns, beautiful topline & correct tailset, moved with drive.

Maiden Bitch 7, 5

1  Jacob's Margretwoods Honey Bee

What a naughty girl this was, made her handler work hard for this class; she was just so interested in what was going on about her; built on very clean, elegant lines and refined as called for in the standard, good work to head & lovely neck & shoulders, good deep chest & ribs, strong hindquarters & moved round the ring with verve.

2  Smith's Reddins Lucille

Not as mature as her litter sister but time is on her side, another bitch with a pleasing head, good finish to muzzle & lowset ears, deep chest & good legs with strong, oval bone, best of feet, well up on her toes, lovely topline, moved out happily

Novice Bitch 10, 7

1  A. Carmenere

2  Reddins Lydia at Glenlaine

Debutant Bitch 9, 7

1  Gratton's Reddins Lydia at Glenlaine

2  Garigan's Siochanna Tiaquin Tara Forever Knocknavarra

Different type of bitch to winner, nice & compact, lovely feminine head & dark expressive eyes, good earset, good depth of  chest & lovely spring of rib, she was shown to perfection by her young handler, who got the most of her at all times, well schooled.

Undergraduate Bitch 4, 3

1  Napthine & Frampton's Strathmead India Hicks

Elegant young bitch just between coats at the moment, built on clean lines, pretty head & pronounced occipital protuberance, clean neck of good length, tight arched feet, strong topline & tail set on just right, moved with drive, well shown & handled.

2  S. Tiaquin Tara Forever Knocknavarra

Graduate Bitch 9, 7

1  Stevenson's Lochlorien Prime Suspect for Andley JW

Another well known winning bitch & again it is easy to see why, has to be handled to appreciate her full quality, so streamlined, each part of her simply flows into the next, presents such an elegant picture but is also teeming with substance, she is so well muscled & this she uses to advantage on the move, very much at one with her handler, just needs time & coat to finish what is already a very pleasing picture.

2  Naylor & Morrison's Bardonhill Leaping Water over Anlory

Yet another beautiful bitch just not so mature as the winner at the moment, good head, super arched neck set into well laid back shoulders, good chest & rib spring, strong arched loin, strong topline which she maintains at all times, really shows herself to full advantage on the move.

Post Graduate Bitch 5, 4

1  Brown's Shandwick Irresistable at Tifosi

Appealing head with raised brows & quizzical expression, low earset & correct length of neck, another one of the few who demonstrated sternum today, chest is deep & powerful, excellent spring of rib & good couplings, loved the length of her, moved truly.

2  Barleydale Honeymoon JW

Bitch with a classical head showing good stop & raised brows, strong powerful neck, one of the best forehands here today, clean topline & her tail just flows off her back, well handled, moved OK but tends to screw a leg which is unfortunate

Limit Bitch 8, 4

I know it is clichéd but it is true to say that I could have done with 3 red cards in this class as all the first 3 ladies moved so well which was a pleasure to see.

1  Naylor & Morrison's Anlory Cereza

Won this class on her excellent angulation & powerful forechest, so well muscled up all through, rich pigmented coat in excellent condition, just carrying a little too much weight over the shoulders but this did not detract from the overall picture & by heavens can she move!

2  Randle's Rionore Bewitching Thyme

Really fell for this bitch as well, different type to winner but has many of the same qualities, loved the planes to her head & her length of muzzle, another with good sternum & excellent depth, well ribbed back & strong loin, beautiful short pasterns, another who used the large ring to move to advantage.

Open Bitch 5, 5

1  Catling's Highclare Mary Poppins at Teleri

A new one to me but what a discovery, simply fell in love with her head with it's truly Irish expressiveness, most beautiful strong neck leading into such well set back shoulders, the deepest of chest & good ribs, to be critical she was a little 'bum high' as she is not the most angulated at the rear but her other qualities were there in such abundance that I forgave this, movement was tremendous also.

2  Kirkavagh Neolanta at Glennara

Different type, lots to like, sweet feminine head just starting to grey, strong body properties & well pigmented, textured coat, moved OK.

Veteran Bitch 8, 6

1  Margretwoods Perfect Peach

This lady belied her name on the day as she was not at all perfectly behaved; she put the puppies to shame and it was clear to see where her daughter's naughtiness came from; nonetheless I loved her, she is not a big one but just oozes quality, so well put together I think she is most unfortunate not to have gained her title, moves like a dream, I just loved her spirit & personality...a true 'Irish'.

2  Lynwood Strands of Silk At Sandstream

Another lady who could teach the youngsters a thing or two about movement, taller bitch but elegant all through, super head with kind expression, good neck, chest & rib, well let down hock joints & short pasterns, just lot out to the winner's panache

Brace

1  Garrigan's brace

Two young ladies, who complimented each other beautifully, held their toplines well and moved round the ring in total accord with each other & their young handler.

2  Cox's brace

These two were teeming with condition, their coats looked as though they had been polished, such a rich lustre & sheen, richly pigmented, excellently presented and handled as always, they went round very well together.

Lynne Murray Hogsflesh